Each episode of Churchill Live is recorded before a live studio audience at The Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi on Tuesdays and airs on Nation Television (NTV) on Thursdays.
Ndambuki anchors the show, co-hosted by guest comedians. The result is a charming and funny talk show with a variety of guests including politicians, artists, singers and ordinary citizens. It covers a wide range of topics from the hilarity of young school children to more serious issues that help viewers make sense of current affairs.
The show has won dozens of awards, including at the Kenya CHAT Awards and the Kalasha Film and Television Awards.
Here is a chat with Ndambuki about how he broke into comedy and the industry's prospects in Kenya.
How did you start comedy?
Daniel Ndambuki: I first joined a group called Public Noise Makers, which performed comic skits at the Kenya National Theatre before Nation Television gave us an opportunity to feature in their comedy programme called "In True Colours". It was a collection of comedians performing in front of a live audience.
After the programme ended, we created Churchill Live for continuity and to give upcoming comedians a platform on which to perform. I always wanted to do a show that would invite guests that people do not know much about, but who are doing tremendous things for themselves and the country. … We have really got a great thing going.
Were you always into comedy?
Ndambuki: Not really. I am told that I was shy while growing up in the Eastern region of the country. Before breaking into comedy, I did odd jobs to make ends meet. In the hustle and bustle of life, I interacted with a lot of people from diverse cultures and races. I learned to take life easy and not complain but look at the funny side of it.
How would you describe what you do on stage?
Ndambuki: [It is] serious because trying to make people laugh is not a joke. It is giving life a light touch so that people can laugh and reflect on it at the same time.
We have 43 tribes and there are lots of stereotypes, [but] we laugh at them in a very sensitive way so as not to hurt people. Our diversity is our strength and I try to demystify the stereotypes and propagate unity and peaceful co-existence. We are trying to shape our country into a better nation.
What is it like being a comedian in Kenya?
Ndambuki: Kenya has enormous opportunities at its disposal, and comedy is one of them. The people are appreciative. There are also challenges and for the majority of [Kenyans] comedy offers an escape.
Comedy is also a business and it is tough to get a break. There are emerging platforms [on which] to perform. To be good, one has to put a lot of work in to ensure the audience gets value for their money.
How has comedy changed in Kenya over the years?
Ndambuki : Stand-up comedy is taking shape now. Before, it used to be plays only, but now other forms are emerging as comic writing develops.
Many of the country's television stations are starting comedy programmes for their viewers, which is very good because they are creating opportunities and creating interest … it is a matter of time before it becomes a full-blown industry.
What advice would you give to aspiring comedians?
Ndambuki: In any venture there must be a leap of faith that one can make it. There are highs and lows in comedy. It is always [better] to try than later regret having not tried.
I believe one can also learn it like any other job. We have part-time comedians who are doing other jobs on the side. Aspiring comedians should aspire to be themselves. Everyone has an identity and they should strive to bring it out.
5 Career Lessons From Churchill aka ‘Mwalimu Kin’gan’gi’
Daniel Ndambuki, aka Churchill or Mwalimu
Kingang’i, has grown from humble beginnings, to prove that comedy can
really pay for the really talented ones.
From humble beginnings of acting high school literature and Fasihi
set books, Churchill has carved a niche for himself as a morning radio
presenter at Classic 105, a top MC at Corporate events, and the host of
the most watched comedy show in Kenya, Churchill show.
Who better than to pick career lesson form than him? Here are 5 of them.
1. Non- Traditional careers pay.
While many of us would scoff at a person that makes a living from comedy, Churchill has proved that the once looked down upon careers- comedy, music, dancing, and acting, can put food on the table. He, plus musicians like Nameless, Juliani, Wyre, among others, are helping push the envelope for the Kenyan art scene, and proving that one doesn’t have to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or manager to make some good money.
2. Start Small.
While many of us wish to start big, Churchill did start from the small tasks he was assigned in the school plays. A story is told that he used to sleep on the floor in a one room apartment in Mlolongo. Although we cannot verify that, what we can note is that he has indeed come from far.
At the time, he probably didn’t consider that he would rise to the
position he occupies today, but currently, he must be looking back and
wondering if indeed he is still the same person.
3. Continuously innovate.
As fellow comedian ‘Jalang’o often says, acting is one of the hardest jobs. One has to come up with fresh jokes every now and then or their jokes will be considered stale. Churchill has invested in learning his trade, reading wide, and often borrowing and then localizing his lines. Where he has run out of ideas, he has invited others such as Eric Omondi to stand up for him- heck, even Chris Rock runs out of lines and has fulltime writers to help him come up with new jokes. He crafted Churchill live from scratch, and from the show, he has achieved massive publicity.
4. Learn to multi- task.
The era of sticking to one employer is long gone. In a way, we are turning out to be consultants, who sell our skills to our clients- employers. Even though Churchill has a full time job as a co-presenter with Maina Kageni on the Classic FM Morning show, he still manages to perform some other corporate gigs, to supplement his income.
5. Mentor others.
Churchill has brought on board new comedians, something which the audience did not appreciate at the beginning. Through his show, we now know of new comedians, like the Kibra guy with the Luhya accent, the police guy with the Kalenjin accent, and the guy with the Meru accent. Even though these new comedians have taken time to perfect on their act, they are catching up pretty fast, and who knows, one, or even all of them, could surpass Churchill in due time.
Who better than to pick career lesson form than him? Here are 5 of them.
1. Non- Traditional careers pay.
While many of us would scoff at a person that makes a living from comedy, Churchill has proved that the once looked down upon careers- comedy, music, dancing, and acting, can put food on the table. He, plus musicians like Nameless, Juliani, Wyre, among others, are helping push the envelope for the Kenyan art scene, and proving that one doesn’t have to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or manager to make some good money.
2. Start Small.
While many of us wish to start big, Churchill did start from the small tasks he was assigned in the school plays. A story is told that he used to sleep on the floor in a one room apartment in Mlolongo. Although we cannot verify that, what we can note is that he has indeed come from far.
3. Continuously innovate.
As fellow comedian ‘Jalang’o often says, acting is one of the hardest jobs. One has to come up with fresh jokes every now and then or their jokes will be considered stale. Churchill has invested in learning his trade, reading wide, and often borrowing and then localizing his lines. Where he has run out of ideas, he has invited others such as Eric Omondi to stand up for him- heck, even Chris Rock runs out of lines and has fulltime writers to help him come up with new jokes. He crafted Churchill live from scratch, and from the show, he has achieved massive publicity.
4. Learn to multi- task.
The era of sticking to one employer is long gone. In a way, we are turning out to be consultants, who sell our skills to our clients- employers. Even though Churchill has a full time job as a co-presenter with Maina Kageni on the Classic FM Morning show, he still manages to perform some other corporate gigs, to supplement his income.
5. Mentor others.
Churchill has brought on board new comedians, something which the audience did not appreciate at the beginning. Through his show, we now know of new comedians, like the Kibra guy with the Luhya accent, the police guy with the Kalenjin accent, and the guy with the Meru accent. Even though these new comedians have taken time to perfect on their act, they are catching up pretty fast, and who knows, one, or even all of them, could surpass Churchill in due time.
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